A levelling of achievement
When the government announced its new vocational diploma to run alongside the A-level exam, it was clear that it was intended to destroy A-level altogether, albeit by stealth since A-level – however degraded it has become – is still regarded as the ‘gold standard’ of the exam system. Now we can see that in order to ensure that A-level is indeed finished off, the system is to be rigged. The new diploma will be worth three and a half A-levels. That means that studying such issues as 'hairstyles in society', or 'critically responding to a range of computer games' will be worth more than studying maths, physics or foreign languages. The Telegraph reports:
The decision by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service means students may find it easier to get into university by taking the new courses, which will combine vocational and academic studies. It could lead to a sharp increase in the number of pupils going to university, particularly those from poor backgrounds who are often turned off by purely academic study. However, there are fears the diploma - which will include subjects such as hospitality and hair and beauty - may be less rigorous than A-levels. Although universities will not be obliged to admit teenagers with a diploma, it is thought the move will pile pressure on admissions tutors to look favourably on the new qualifications.Well, there’s a surprise.
A-level was arguably the most efficient and effective public examination in the world. Its concentration on breadth rather than depth ensured the highest standards at undergraduate degree level; its rigour ensured that the drop-out rate at British universities was exceptionally low. All that is now in the past as the whole system has slid inexorably downwards, dragging A-level with it. Now it is to be finished off altogether – and doubtless what remains of the British education system along with it.
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Melanie Phillips is a Daily Mail columnist. She also writes for the Jewish Chronicle and is a panellist on BBC Radio Four's Moral Maze. Her most recent book is 'Londonistan', published by Encounter and Gibson Square.
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Tom
December 19th, 2007 12:45pmDepth rather than breadth ... Another point, that is often overlooked, is it also provides the most efficient preparation. Friends who studied the IB, for example, simply could not have done all three sciences. This has caused major problems in their degrees.
Edward
December 19th, 2007 2:21pmYou have excelled yourself with this one Phillips.
"... studying such issues as 'hairstyles in society', or 'critically responding to a range of computer games"
Love it. Shudder all ye Educationalists, Phillips has pressed the Satire button.
David Lindsay
December 19th, 2007 5:13pmOh, no she hasn't, Edward - these things are real. Of course, A-levels will still be required in order to gain admission to certain universities, and will therefore still be delivered by certain schools. Guess which universities. And guess which schools.
Peter
December 20th, 2007 12:19amIf somebody has a skill, hairdressing for example,why on earth do they need to go to university,why not be a hairdresser?
Of course it might be fun hanging around uni bars for two or three years,but will people be any further forward in a career?
Good tradesmen can earn far more than polytechnic lecturers.Surely it is preferable that the education system produces people who can do things rather than casting people in the educationalist's image.
Thom
December 20th, 2007 4:49pmGreat article one point though - An education is indeed the way to employment and the possibly to improve oneself through attainment in the future but as this new movement in education demonstrates the honus on education is to get its "customers" a "piece of paper", rather than the necessary life skills and/or knowledge engendered by the A-level or one of the existing tried and tested vocational systems of education (i.e. apprenticeships). You cant collect "education tokens", send them in an SAE and get a job from it; it doesn't wash in the real world that (still) holds all the purse strings. The cancerous nature of the education systems cannot sustain itself in a market environment for much longer and these things are the straws that will eventually break the camels back. I just worry, more so than others as my wife is a science teacher, that the final straw will come in the form of a dead teacher at the hands of a student in class.
Thom
December 20th, 2007 4:52pmPeter, A fantastic point about tradesmen and polytechnics (sorry - there METROPOLITANS UNI's now!) and one in which free market forces works out the best possible solution. It will not tolerate any more interference than is bearable from the education system before spitting it out altogether; look at the numerous anti-university ad campaigns already in existence.
Rob
December 27th, 2007 3:51amBut the end of decent educational standards in Britain will surely lead to a vast increase in your mindless fanbase, so why are you complaining?
Big Joak
December 28th, 2007 12:43pmThe inadequacy of the English A level is not now nor for a long time before a public examination effective for its purpose. Its near now total ineffectiveness is illustrated by the introduction of aptitude tests - eg the biomedical aptitude test - accompanied by interview for places in real universities still teaching real academic subjects. Genuine universities will soon be forced to re-introduce the old matriculation exams, which, after all, the aptitude tests are merely the forerunners. Reliance on the A level was engendered largely by the need for universities to economise financially as a result of cutbacks forced upon them by the State on which they should never have allowed themselves to become dependent upon for near total support in the first instance.